Matiang’i’s 2027 Presidential Bid Shakes Up Ruto, Raila Influence in Gusii Region
May 4, 2025
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2027 presidential race, setting the stage for a major political realignment in the vote-rich Gusii region and potentially disrupting the dominance of President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Long considered a stronghold of Raila’s ODM party, the Gusii region has, in recent years, also become a political battleground for Ruto, who has invested heavily in winning over the electorate. Both leaders have historically enjoyed substantial support from the Kisii and Nyamira counties through party operatives, development pledges, and targeted outreach.
Matiang’i’s entry, however, is widely seen as a game changer. A native of the region with deep administrative experience and a reputation for discipline and technocratic leadership, he is already commanding significant attention among local leaders and voters. His recent public engagements, particularly the high-energy tour across Kisii and Nyamira, have drawn large crowds and praise from segments of the electorate eager for a fresh political voice.
Addressing residents in Borabu, Nyamira County during his latest stop, Matiang’i emphasized a new era of self-determination and regional empowerment, signaling a shift away from dependence on traditional political alliances.
Analysts believe his candidacy could severely complicate the political calculus for both Ruto and Raila. For Raila, it may mean losing a portion of his long-loyal Gusii base, while for Ruto, it threatens to undercut gains his UDA party has made in the area since 2022.
With the 2027 elections still two years away, Matiang’i’s early declaration has effectively reopened the competition for the Gusii vote—and possibly the national conversation on leadership and reform.
Matiang’i’s 2027 Presidential Bid Shakes Up Ruto, Raila Influence in Gusii Region
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